The primary and first allegiance of God’s children must be to God. Our other commitments are secondary, provided they are not against God’s. So, in addition to being God’s children, we are also citizens of our respective countries; with certain rights and obligations. The obligations that we have include the payment of taxes, voting, and promoting the common good of our communities. We would not always like those who are in charge of the affairs of state, but that does not dispense us of our civic obligations. Jesus, in today’s gospel, teaches us that even at times when they stretch their powers beyond necessary boundaries, we should still fulfill the obligations we owe the state, even though His indebtedness was due to the officials’ ignorance. When, however, it becomes a matter of choice between obedience to God and obedience to humans, and accommodating the demand of worldly powers is inimical to our faith because we would be serving anti-God purposes, such obligations lose their binding force on us. We must defend our faith and stand with God in all things, irrespective of the treachery of the opposing forces.